Write a geographical account of road transportation under the following headings:
(a) three advantages;
(b) three disadvantages
(c) four contributions to development
Explanation
(a)
1. Less Investment:
Roads need less capital than the railways. Laying of railway line needs much capital than road. So it is cheaper.
2. Door to Door Service:
Railways have the drawback that they cannot go to each village while road transport provides door to door service. So it is more beneficial.
3.Useful for Small Distances:
While railways are useful in long distances, road transport is useful in small distances.
(b)
1. Inadequate Roads:
Most of the roads are in bad shape and are inadequate. There are only 34 km long roads per 100 sq. km area in India while in Japan 270 km roads per 100 sq. km.
2. Heavy Taxes:
There is heavy tax burden on motor transport in India. Tax burden per motor vehicle in India is Rs. 3500 while in America it is Rs. 860.
3. Poor Maintenance of Roads:
Roads are not maintained properly in India. Less than 0.1 percent of national income is spent on the maintenance of roads in India, while in Japan it is 3 percent of the national income.
(c)-employment opportunities
-facilitate national trade
-facilitate international trade
-promotes international cooperation